Tag Archives: landscaping ideas

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CAM00382limerockboulderpizap.com13918149788441landscaping-sago-palm-tampa-johns-palms

Landscape design incorporates many of the same concepts as any other type of artistic endeavor, whereupon one hopes to capture the heart and interest of those that view it.  Creating a beautiful landscape design is no different than creating a beautiful dance, painting,  musical score, or fine meal, where we, as the artist, try to provide the viewer with an experience that challenges and pleases all of the senses, through balance, flow, and sensual interest.

To achieve that in a landscape design, one must incorporate a few basic design concepts: specimen plants, focal points, background/screening plants, and filler plants (ground-covers, color, and such).  Today, though, we are going to focus on focal points.

Specimen plants are your large plants which are usually trees or palms.  Generally, they are tall and large, and the first thing that someone sees, when they approach your landscape.  I like to equate them to a large sectional sofa or entertainment center in a living room.  Background/screening plants are usually the hedges in the background, that allow the forward plants to pop; I call them the curtains and chairs in a living room.  The filler plants are the smaller grasses, ground-covers, etc. that fill up the majority of the rest of the landscape, that have color and interest, and I call them pictures and lamps.

Using living room decoration as an analogy then, in landscape design concepts, focal points are the mid-sized furniture:  cocktail tables and recliners.  If everything is tall or small, you have to have an in-between for balance, flow, and interest.  For me, most landscape designs are missing the focal point, which I call the 3'X3' or 4'X4' plant.....the cocktail table or recliner.  The human eye just does not easily scan a landscape canvas with bold height, and short low plants, without hiccuping.  You have to have the focal point, the mid-sized item, to bridge the divide from high to low.  Fortunately, a focal point is easy to add to your landscape design.

Focal points can be anything from plants, to statues, to boulders, to benches and bird baths.  They just have to be a mid-sized selection that interrupts your view from high to low in a pleasing way.  They should be substantial in impact, through size, color, or texture difference, but not so bold that they are the first thing that you see (in that case, they may become a specimen).

Some options to consider, both plant and non-plant:

  • Agave, Striped or Blue
  • Orange Bird of Paradise
  • Crinum Lily
  • Cardboard Palm
  • Coontie Palm (purchased mature, extremely slow growing)
  • King Sago palm
  • Windmill Palm, European Fan Palm, Needle Palm
  • Xanadu, Firecracker Plant (slow growing, possibly over time will work)
  • any smaller growing plants in group of three or so
  • Bird baths, statues, large pots with or without plants, boulders

Mostly, the idea is to designate an area that is about 4'X4' and create a secondary centerpiece that does not compete with your specimens, that creates flow and balance.   As with all artistic efforts, there are no rules, just thoughts and ideas, so you can't go wrong.  Try ideas out, draw them on paper, put a chair in that spot or a short trash can (the 3'X3' kind).  Test your ideas with similar household items, and see what you think of the placement with regards to space and concept.  And, then, go shopping and explore your options, and buy what you like. As is true with all landscape design, there are so many options to style and products, it is impossible to not get what you love.  So, get what you love, and don't settle for anything less.

With a few guiding principles of landscape design concepts, you can create a beautiful landscape for your home.

Post a question or comment, I'd be happy to answer what I can.

 

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Florida landscape plants offer such a stunning array of vivid flower colors, it can be difficult to decide which one is your favorite.  From the deep reds of Hibiscus, Ixora, and Passion Vine to the brilliant purples of Bougainvillea, Crape Myrtle, and Azaleas, one can fall in love with all of the color ranges!  As, well, when one visits a well-stocked nursery in the spring, when everything is in bloom, it can be overwhelming.

While it is natural to gravitate towards the more striking flower colors that stand out amongst a sea of green foliage, one should never overlook the simple grace and elegance of the white flower, or even more so, the white foliage of a plant.  Traditionally, using white as a landscape color has not been promoted as a viable or desirable landscape concept, and I suspect it is because it is simply misunderstood.   With that said,  let's explore the ways that using white as a landscape color can be best utilized:

angels-trumpet-white-flower

1.  Not all flowering plants can tolerate shady or part-shade light conditions, and continue to bloom.  However, some can, such as this white Angel's Trumpet, pictured above.  Using white as a landscape color is unique, in that white flowers and white-striped foliage will stand out in dark and shady light conditions.   Whether it is planted under an Oak tree, or even against a fence, these white flowers will stand out in the day time, and almost cast a ghostly hue at night, in places where other dark colored flowers will hardly be noticeable.  Some other white flowered or white-striped foliage plants to consider for similar site conditions are:

  • White Azalea
  • White-striped foliage Bromeliads
  • Variegated Minima Jasmine
  • Gardenia
  • Pinwheel Jasmine
  • Aztec Grass
  • African Iris
  • Peace Lily
  • White Bleeding Heart vine

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2.  White flowers and foliage can be used as a "buffer plant" separating other bold colors.  As you can see in the photo of the Bromeliads above, the white plant in the upper left corner, as well as the white trim on the center plant help all of the plants in the grouping stand out, highlighting their particular features to an advantage.  When you are considering using white as a landscape color with other colors, position the white plants in such a manner as to bring out the colors of the surrounding plants.  For example, if you are considering planting an annual bed with dark purple Petunias, or deep red Begonias, make 20% of the plants white, and randomly intersperse them throughout the bed to help the darker colors pop.  Some options for lower growing plants that make great white color buffers are:

  • Aztec Grass
  • Variegated Flax Lily (Dianella)
  • Variegated Minima Jasmine
  • White Dwarf Penta
  • Sun Hosta

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3.  Using white as a landscape color is particularly effective when creating a design for a dark-colored house paint.  Some plant features can seem to be lost when used as a foundation plant against a dark paint, to the point that they almost blend it.  If you select a white colored flower or foliage plant as a foundation plant, not only will that plant stand out, but it will set the stage for the other plants in front of it.  Consider the example above, of a Pinwheel Jasmine, that blooms almost all year.  It not only will stand out against a dark brown paint, but all other plants in front of it will shine in their own right, as well.  Keep in mind, though, that the opposite is true for a light colored house, such as white or yellow paint.  Some plants to consider as a foundation plant for dark-painted houses are:

  • Variegated  Pittosporum
  • Sinesis
  • Jasmine, many varieties to choose from
  • Silver Queen Hibiscus
  • Snowbush, or Snow on the Mountain
  • White Oleander
  • Chinese Silver Grass
  • White Fountain Grass

4.  Lastly. using white as a landscape color can be a complete landscape design concept whereupon the ONLY flower color being used is white.  In cases such as this, the design concept usually incorporates plants with dark foliage, with white used to highlight the dark foliage of other plants, with the primary focus being about texture and foliage contrasts.

Now that you have a better understanding of how white can be used as a landscape color, you will never see white flowers in the same light, again!  As always, half of the fun of gardening is to experiment, and see what works for you, as there is no wrong way, just a better way, when it comes to design.

So, let's get designing, folks, with white!

Donell

 

 

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Dwarf Bamboo; Golden Goddess Bamboo
Dwarf Bamboo; Golden Goddess Bamboo

There may be many reasons why you might want to add a privacy barrier to your Tampa landscape.  Perhaps you would simply like some privacy!  Or, you might need one as a sound barrier next to a noisy street, or to block out a street light that disturbs your sleep.  Maybe the local teenagers cut through your yard on their way to the park, or your neighbors have an unkempt yard that offends your view.  No matter the reason, a privacy barrier can be one of the best landscape investments that you can make.

When selecting the types of plants that you might like to use, you need to keep a few things in mind:  it should be a plant that is hardy and permanent; you need to understand the maintenance requirements and preferred planting site of the selected plant(s); and you must make sure that you have the space for a privacy barrier.

Primarily, you want to make sure that the privacy barrier will live for many years.  Given it's function in the landscape, if the plant that your select is prone to freeze damage, you have the potential to lose your privacy hedge in any given winter.  A good example of this would be using plants like Bougainvillea or Hibiscus, that could potentially be killed or freeze burned to the ground, and you will have to wait many years for them to grow back.  If you would still like to use plants such as these, consider adding a few so that you get the look that you like, but do not rely on them as a permanent plant.

Secondly, make sure that understand the growth habit of your desired plant(s) for the privacy barrier.  Some plants like Podocarpus can be trimmed as a more narrow and upright hedge, but plants like Dwarf Bamboo will need plenty of side room to grow.  Also, while some plants are versatile in their sunlight and soil preferences, others may not be.  One example is Ligustrum, which prefers sunlight and well-drained soil, but will be thinned out in too much shade or may get root rot in soils that are too moist.

Lastly, make sure that you truly understand the ultimate growth habit of the privacy barrier plants that you select.  If you can determine the height of the privacy barrier that you desire, you can try to select plants that will ultimately stop growing at near that preferred height.  Otherwise, you should at least try to understand the maintenance level that it might take to keep a plant at 10' when it really wants to grow to 20'.  Ask yourself how many times a year will I have to trim it, and does that schedule mesh with what I willing to do in my landscape?

Fortunately, there are many wonderful plants that you can select from to create your privacy barrier.   While some plants grow very slowly (like Chinese Fan Palm), others grow very quickly (such as Sweet Viburnum).  Depending upon your budget and the urgency of the privacy barrier, you may be able to buy smaller plants (3 or 7 gallon size) and let them grow.  Conversely, if you need an instant privacy barrier, you will have to purchase plants that are several years old, and have a much higher price tag.

Any of these plants will work for your Tampa landscapes, just be sure to understand their ultimate growth height and spread, preferred planting conditions, and typical maintenance schedule:

  • Dwarf Bamboo, varieties such as Golden Goddess, Fern Leaf, and Alphonse Karr
  • Chinese Fan Palm
  • Areca Palm
  • Roebellini Palm, in select situations due to limited growth height
  • White Bird of Paradise
  • Fishtail Palm
  • Bottlebrush tree, single trunk or multi-stem
  • Podocarpus
  • Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum)
  • Red Cedar
  • Eleocarpus
  • Ligustrum tree
  • Holly, many varieties

Any of these plants would make a welcome addition to your landscape, either in a grouping or hedge,  or as a solitary plant.  As well, many of them can be mixed together in a pleasingly cohesive design that can create a privacy barrier that doesn't look like a "wall".  As always, half of the fun of landscaping is experimenting, so if you do your homework, and understand the nature of the selected plant(s), you will be amply rewarded!

Let's get growing, Folks!  You privacy barrier is awaiting!

Donell

 

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snail-damage

Slugs and snails can be a significant pest problem on many varieties of landscape and vegetable plants in Florida.  As they mostly feed at night, they can be difficult to detect, but the damage that they leave behind should be evidence enough.  While some other insects, such as caterpillars and grasshoppers, leave similar damage patterns, those critters can usually been seen during the day making the pest diagnosis easier.

So, how can you be sure that the damage to your plants is being caused by slugs and snails?  You can set a trap for them!  Slugs and snails like to spend their daylight hours in a cool, dank place, so you can make that easier for them by creating a place for them to go to!  Position a large flat rock or similar type of object at the base of the plants that are being fed upon, and then check under it daily, in the cool of the morning.  You will see them resting under the rock, thereby confirming that you have a slug or snail problem.  As well, you can sometimes see their slime trails on concrete or leaf surfaces, which is also clear evidence.

So, once you have identified that you have a slug and snail problem, you will need to find a way to get rid of them.   Slugs and snails can be difficult to eradicate, but with determination and persistence, you can control them.  One way, or course, is to apply a commercial slug and snail bait product available at garden centers, but it can be costly and may have to be applied often, depending upon the weather.   Another way to eliminate the problem is to change out your landscape and garden plants to a variety that is less favorable to them, as they do have their favorite host plants such as Hosta and Peace Lily.

Fortunately, there are some other options to control slugs and snails, that are not only organic, but also fun and clever.  Any of these following methods will work, but you may want to incorporate all of them in your pest control program:

  • Remember the flat rock that we used earlier to help identify the presence of slugs and snails?  Add a few more of those to the garden and then check under them daily, preferably in the morning.  Physically remove the snails, bag them up, and throw them away!
  • Beer.  That's right, slugs and snails love beer!  Dig a shallow hole in the ground near the plants that are being fed upon, and place an empty plastic butter tub or similar in the hole, so that the container is flush with the surrounding soil.  Fill the tub half way with beer, and then wait.  Slugs and snails love beer, and will fall into the tub at night and drown.  Empty the tub every few days as needed, and fill again.   Continue repeating this program until the population is eventually reduced, when you aren't trapping any more  pests.
  • Add copper banding to the base of you plants.  Slugs and snails hate copper, as it is believed that it gives them an electrical charge.  This method is more practical as a physical barrier at the base of a plant, or as a copper strip added to the lip of a potted plant, or similar concept.   As well, you may have heard that you can use pennies, but that is not true today, as pennies no longer have copper added to them.

By now, you may have realized that controlling slugs and snails in your garden may not be easy, but with a plan and some persistence, your efforts will pay off.  By using these organic pest control methods in a mufti-faceted program, you will eventually be able to enjoy your favorite plants, free of slug and snail damage!

So, let's get slug and snail hunting folks!

Donell

 

 

 

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Hibiscus

Did you know that today is Pascua Florida Day, and is a state of Florida day of recognition?  April 2nd is the anniversary of the discovery of Florida by Juan Ponce De Leon, in 1513.  Ponce De Leon was a Spanish explorer, and named this newly discovered land after a celebration day in his homeland of Spain called Pascua Florida, meaning a feast of flowers.  Other than the state flower Orange Blossom, there is no other plant that says Florida more than the Hibiscus, and, naturally, it is a Florida landscape favorite.

What better way to celebrate our Florida's naming day than to plant some Hibiscus in your landscape, brew some Hibiscus Tea, and bake some Hibiscus candy?  Yes, that's right, Hibiscus is not only edible, but it is tasty as well!  Beyond Hibiscus being a Florida landscape favorite for it's beautiful year-round flowers, it is renowned for it's natural medicinal properties, and well as unique flavor in teas and food.

Not only is Hibiscus a Florida landscape favorite, it is a world-wide favorite, too!  It is commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical environments, and thrives best in temperate climates.  It is the state flower of countries such as Malaysia and Haiti, and it's flower has unique symbolism that can be found in cultures such as India and Tahiti.

As a landscape plant, Hibiscus can be one of the easiest and most rewarding plants in your garden, providing endless beautiful blooms of vibrant colors.  It prefers full sun for best blooming, but will tolerate partial shade, and once established, it is very drought tolerant.  The Hibiscus can have some unique pest problems, though, such as aphids, Pink Hibiscus Mealy-bug, and Chilli Trips, that can be controlled with pesticides, if desired.  The worst pest problems for Hibiscus, though, in my opinion, are deer and extreme cold.  If you live in an area that is populated with deer, Hibiscus is a deer favorite, and will simply be a feeding station for them, and they will never bloom.  As well, if your planting area is prone to repeated frost or freezing temperatures, an unprotected Hibiscus will not survive for long.

What the heck!  Plant one Hibiscus, and give it plenty of room, as they they can grow rather large on some of the varieties (8' tall or better, and almost just as wide).   And, when family and friends come for your annual summer tea party, dazzle them with your scrumptious Hibiscus candies, and delectable Hibiscus tea (I hear that it's even better with rum!).

Pick your favorite Hibiscus variety from these options:  http://3seasonsgrowers.com/pb/wp_4a4e7cc3/wp_4a4e7cc3.html

Then, let's get the party started!

http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2010/08/hibiscus-tea-brewed-at-home-from-dried.html

http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2010/08/candied-flowers-hibiscus.html

Let's get Hibiscus-ing, Folks!

Donell

 

 

 

 

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Adding annual flowers to your landscape is a great way to bring fabulous bursts of color to your garden, even though they are usually temporary.  Annuals are seasonal plants, that are sometimes called bedding plants, and they are narrowly defined as plants that grow, and  reproduce (which means to flower) and die, with a one year time frame.  In the landscape world, then, when they are flowering, they are at the peak of their life when you buy them, and will only live for a few more months, in your garden.   Most annual plants are designed to live for 3 or 4 months after purchase, with the expectation that they will be replaced out, seasonally, with another annual of a different type, that prefers the new season.    With that in mind, adding annuals to your landscape can bring a wonderful pop of color, seasonally, with an expected rotation of changing them out 3-4 times a year, given their limited lifespan and preferred season.

Adding annuals to your landscape can bring  a wonderful and changing variation to the look of your landscape, but it is not for everyone.  While some annuals can be low maintenance and seem to free-seed and live on their own, others can require dead-heading of old seed pods and pinching back when they get leggy and spindly.  More so, most annuals have a preferred season, and do require a rotational change-out.  However, if you are willing to do the work, no matter how large or small the designated area for planting, you will rarely find the colors to add to your landscape, that annuals can bring.  They bring vibrant colors in a big way on a small scale, that no other plant can do!

If you do decide to add annuals to your landscape, here are a few tips:

  • Annuals always will need a bed of fresh potting soil to be planted in.  Do not plant them in regular Florida soils and expect success.
  • If you want to mulch your annual bed, do not mulch the annual.  Leave a 1" clearance around the stem of annuals, and only lightly mulch the soil bed, as most annuals are very sensitive to materials around their stems and can die from root rot or too-deeply planting.
  • Know the preferred season for your annuals.  Many nurseries and almost all box stores sell annuals (and vegetables) out of season.   A smart man told me recently that he simply watches for what annuals are planted at the subdivision entrances and  commercial buildings, and he follows suit.  He is absolutely right and this is an awesome way to get it right the first time.  The pros are not guessing about the right season/ right annual.
  • Some annuals are more prone to insect and fungal problems, so if you opt to select those plants that are, stay vigilant with your pest control, for ultimate success.
  • Lastly, as always, have fun with your landscaping and don't give up!   I don't believe in black thumbs, and some plants just have rules or natures that have to be followed.  Follow them! and you will be successful.

As a note, and as a landscaper, I do not install many annual beds, but when I do, this is my philosophy:

  • Keep the bed small, within 1-2 trays of plants, always in a bed of potting soil
  • I prefer a 3 time a year rotation:  Begonias in the spring, as they can handle the heat, but hate the rain; Coleus in the mid-summer as they love the rain and the heat;   Petunias in the winter, as they can handle some heat but love the cold.

There is so much to know about gardening and landscaping, and IFAS is the source.  For more information about annuals, and seasonal tables, click on this link:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg319

Let's get gardening, Folks!

Donell

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St. Patrick's Day is the day that we show off our green!   We wear green, we drink green beer, and we eat cabbage....and we write Limericks to celebrate Ireland, also know as the Emerald Isle!  So, we should be talking about plants with Emerald green leaves, but instead, I am going to talk about plants with Lime foliage, my little twist on "Lime-rick"!  I know, it's a stretch, but what better day to talk about plants that bring something different to the garden?

When designing your landscape, you can add interest to the final plan by including plants with varying textures, flowers, mature height, and foliage color.  There are an endless number of plants that have various hues of green, all the way from a dark emerald green to almost a bluish-silver hue.  And, surprisingly, there are a handful of plants that offer a shade of lime green that will make your landscape pop, especially when paired with other plants that help them stand out and shine.

If you are considering adding some lime green foliage plants to your landscape design, be sure to place them next to plants that will highlight their uniqueness.  Lime green foliage can really pop when planted next to dark greens, reds, and oranges.  Conversely, it can be lost or washed out when planted next to a white or yellow house paint, or white and light colored green foliage plants.   If you are uncertain as to what will work in your plant combinations, try a few pairings at your local nursery before making your final selections.  Ultimately, you want all of your plants in your design to compliment each other, to bring out the best features of each individual plant.  As always, half of the fun of gardening is experimenting, and going bold can bring a delightful result!

Considered any of these lime green foliage plants to add to your landscape.  All of them are low maintenance and easy care plants for our Tampa landscapes:

  • Foxtail Fern, added bonus of unique texture
  • Coleus, available in many varying leaf colors with limes, yellows, and reds (in picture above)
  • Potato Vine
  • Gold Mound Duranta (in picture above, with Coleus)
  • Ti Plants, either Kiwi or Lemon-Lime varieties

So, let's get growing, Folks!  This St. Patrick's Day, let's really show of our greens.....with Lime greens!  You just can't go wrong, and you will be bringing something new to table, so to speak!

Donell

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angeltrumpet

A well designed landscape attempts to stimulate our five senses of sight, smell, touch, sound, and taste.  With that in mind, adding scented plants to create a fragrant garden can be the most surprising and rewarding of all garden design, by tickling our sense of smell.

Some plants, such as Gardenia and Roses, are universally known for their beautiful fragrance, and are added to gardens for just that reason.  Others, such as Crinum Lily and Angel's Trumpet, are not as well known, but can bring as much pleasure as their better known garden mates.  As well, most scented plants do not provide scent year-around, so to create a fragrant garden for almost all seasons, one must plant a variety of scented plants.  With that, not only will your landscape be diverse in scent and texture (touch), you will also have the added benefit of flowers (sight) and possibly taste (with herbs, like Rosemary and Mint).  As an added bonus, plants like Loquat, Citrus, and Magnolia provide a food source for birds and wildlife (sound), after their scented flowers have passed.  Why, one might even say that the beginning of a full-senses garden experience begins with scented plants!

Selecting scented plants for a fragrant garden is easier than you think.  As always, you must take into consideration the plants preferred planting sight (sun, soil, etc.) as well as it's size at maturity, and then simply begin adding them to your current landscape.  Alternatively, you can build and design your landscape around scented plants, selecting ones that bloom in different seasons.  As always, half the fun in gardening is experimenting, so just enjoy the process and no doubt, you will be amply rewarded!

Any of these easy-care scented plants would make a wonderful addition to your fragrant garden:

  • Carolina Yellow Jasmine
  • Sumbac a/k/a Arabian Jasmine
  • Confederate Jasmine
  • Night Blooming Jasmine
  • Star Jasmine
  • Anise
  • Loquat
  • Magnolia
  • Citrus, all varieties
  • Crinum Lily
  • Angel's Trumpet
  • Roses, not all varieties
  • Society Garlic (not pleasant smelling to all)
  • Butterfly Ginger
  • Tea Olive
  • Rosemary and many other herbs
  • Gardenia

All of the plants listed above are well-suited for Tampa landscapes (zone 9) and are generally drought tolerant and low maintenance.  As well, some of them provide a heavy scent, while others, a more light and subtle fragrance, providing an opportunity for all gardener's to find the perfect plant, to tickle their senses!

Let's Get Growing, Folks!

Donell